H-Net* Al-Arqam now a thriving business

[krqxz]

MAY 1, 2000 Al-Arqam now a thriving business

The former members of the banned movement have built up a business
empire spanning five industries where staff get free housing and
schooling

RAWANG -- Former members of the Al-Arqam movement, banned for preaching
deviationist Islam, have rebuilt its sprawling business empire spanning
five industries.

Its business assets -- here and abroad -- were estimated at RM300
million (S$139 million) when it was banned in 1994.

Its foreign interests have remained unaffected by the ban but its
domestic businesses were seriously disrupted as followers disbanded and
its outlets and products were denied use of its familiar logo.

A segment of its former and key followers have begun new business
enterprises under the flagship Rufaqa Corporation since April 1997.

But it was only late last year t! hat Rufaqa (Arabic for "true and loyal
companion") began seriously setting up base in Bandar Country Homes,
near Rawang.

Its headquarters, on top of several shophouses, has yet to have a
signboard, while the staff -- many of whom started work only early this
year -- sit at desks that seem remarkably free of paperwork.

"Al-Arqam is no more... it's finished. Now it's only business," Rufaqa
corporate affairs manager Mr Mohd Fazel Mohd Salleh remarked.

Its herbal industry is its most profitable to date. Its top three
sellers -- Tongkat Ali, Kacip Fatimah (for women) and Minyak Lintah
Gunung (an ointment for men) -- have cashed in on the Malay male
preoccupation with enhancing the libido.

Its manufacturing activities are currently confined to soy sauce and
tomato ketchup but it already has five restaurants and six mini-markets.

But it is the Rufaqa management style which distinguishes it from other
businesses.
Its staff are paid well below the market rate -- about RM600 for a clerk
and slightly more for a manager -- but medical care and housing
(double-storey link house or bungalow) is free, so is schooling for
children of the staff, and every household gets RM300 worth of groceries
a month.

Once a week, staff have to attend motivation sessions. For instance,
mini-market manager Sharifah Zahrah Syed Hassan's motivation classes for
the workers focus on applying religion in their work.

"All this contributes to the secret of our success," said Mr Mohd Fazel,
a young New Zealand-trained business graduate with an MBA. -- New
Straits Times

Ex-leader has nerve disorder

FORMER leader Ashaari Muhammad, whom the community still addresses
reverently as abuyah (father of all), lives not far from the shops in a
pair of blue-roofed bungalows linked by a family surau (small prayer
house).

Wives No 1 and No 2 live in one h! ouse and No 3 and No 4 in the other.

He reportedly suffers from a nerve disorder that has affected his jaw
movements and impeded his speech so much so that one of his wives now
translates what he has to say. He has 37 children. -- New Straits
Times...



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